Door structure



Dec. 8, 1964 R. o. JOHNSON 3,150,201

DOOR STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 16. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 56; 99 4 I 5;: I 7 il 45 1 04 96 INVENTOR. H foam? 0 dam/5am 5 I BY 0 Lav;

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Dec. 8, 1964 R. o. JOHNSON 3,160,201

DOOR STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 16, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent3,16%,201 BGGR STRUEITIJRE Robert 0. Johnson, Erie, Fan, assignor toFenestra, incorporated, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan FiledNov. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 152,319 8 Claims. (El. res-ass The presentinvention relates to doors and refers more specifically to foldingcloset doors or the like and a combination reinforcing member, leafhinge and pivot mounting means therefor.

In the past, reinforcing frames or members, hinges and pivot mountingmeans for doors have usually been separate elements produced separatelyand later installed on doors to perform their indicated functions. Theseparate production and assembly of parts of doors such as hinges,reinforcing members and pivot mounting means is wasteful of time ofskilled production and assembly personnel and in addition is wasteful ofmaterial. Doors produced by such methods are therefore more expensivethan necessary and due to the many individual parts are more complicatedand less reliable in use.

Further, in the past threaded collars and clamping means such as setscrews or the like have been used to secure pivot means to the pivotmounting means of doors. These collars and clamping means requireconsiderable time to manufacture and assemble whereby the cost of theinstalled doors is further increased.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to providean improved folding door or similar article.

Another object is to provide a door including a combination reinforcingand binge member.

Another object is to provide a door including a combination reinforcingmember and pivot mounting means.

Another object is to provide a door including a com bination hinge andpivot mounting means.

Another object is to provide a door including a combination reinforcingframe member, hinge and pivot mounting means.

Another object is to provide a door as set forth above wherein the pivotmounting means are so positioned that bination reinforcing frame member,hinge and pivot mounting means.

Another object is to provide a pair of folding doors including acombination reinforcing member, hinge and pivot mounting means whichpivot mounting means is so positioned that one leaf of a folding door iswider than the other between the hinge connection therebetween and thepivot mounting thereof to prevent'both leaves of the folding door fromassuming a position at ninety degrees to the track along which saidpivot mounting means slides.

Another object is to provide a door including pivot means, pivotmounting means and a spring clip nut for securing the pivot means to thepivot mounting means in adjusted position.

Another object is to provide a spring clip nut comprising a U-shapedresilient memberincluding a connecting portion and fiat leg portionswhich leg portions have a recess therein extending from the free endthereof toward the connecting portion which recess includes inwardlyconverging sides terminating in a circular cut-out area and a slot onthe connecting portion side of the circular cut-out area to permitbending of the parts of the leg portion formed by the recess in oppositedirections transversely of the leg portions in alignment with thethreads of a threaded member held within the circular cut-out area.

Another object is to provide a door which is simple in construction,economical to manufacture, and efficient muse.

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Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a pair of folding closet doorsconstructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are plan views of one-half, one, and one and one-halfunit folding closet doors respectively constructed in accordance withthe invention and shown in various open positions. M

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, broken longitudinal section through the foldingdoors illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 5-5 inFIGURE 1.

FEGURE 6 is an enlarged partial broken horizontal section through thedoors illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 66 inFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a broken view of :the top portion of the doors illustratedin FIGURE 5 taken in the direction of arrow '7 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a broken longitudinal section through the doors illustratedin FIGURE 7 taken substantially on the line 8-8 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a partial longitudinal section through the folding doorsillustrated in FEGURE 1 similar to a portion of that shown in FIGURE 5and illustrating modified means for securing a pivot rod to thereinforcing frame member, hinge and pivot mounting means.

FIGURE 10 is a side view of a spring clip nut for use in securing thepivot rod to the reinforcing frame member, hinge and pivot mountingmeans as shown in FIG- URE 9.

FiGURE 11 is a top view of the spring clip nut illustrated in FIGURE 10taken in the direction of arrow 11 in FIGURE 10.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawings, one embodimentof the present invention Will now be considered In accordance with theinvention the folding doors 10 are provided with a combinationreinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means 12. Further, thecombination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means 12is provided with spaced openings 14 in the end 16 thereof adapted toreceive the pivot rods 26 for pivotal mounting of the doors It) in thetracks 13, with one of the door leaves 20 and 22 of less width betweenthe hinge pin 24 and the pivot rod 26 than the other door leaf wherebythe wider door leaf is prevented from extending at ninety degrees to thetrack 18 and binding of the folding doors is prevented.

The folding doors of the invention are particularly simple inconstruction requiring only a single member to perform reinforcing,hinge and pivot mounting functions and are economical to produceinasmuch as separate manufacture and assembly of reinforcing members,hinges and pivot mounting means are not required. Additionally, the doorstructure as indicated is particularly efficient since the door leavesare completely interchangeable and either leaf may be installed to be ofless width than the other between the pivot rod 26 and the hinge pin 24to prevent binding of the doors in the open position.

More specifically, folding closet doors 10 are installed in an opening28 in, for example, an interior building wall, not shown. If desired theopening 28 in which the folding doors 10 are installed may be providedwith appropriate trim material such as the quarter round moldingillustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 at the top and both sides thereof.

Tracks 18, along which the pivot rods 26 of the folding doors 10 areguided in opening and closing the doors 1d, are provided at the top 32and bottom 34 of the opening 28 as best shown in FIGURE 5. The tracks 18which extend horizontally are shaped as shown in cross section in FIGURE5 to provide a recess 36 in which the pivot rod 26 of the door issecured. The tracks 18 are secured in the opening 28 by convenient meanssuch as the woodscrews 38.

The individual door leaves 20 and 22 of the folding doors 10 eachcomprise a panel member 40 as shown best in FIGURES 6 and 8 having asubstantially flat continuous planar portion 42, edge portions 44extending at right angles thereto from both sides thereof, and flangemembers 46 depending from the edge portions 44 as shown-best in FIGURE8. The door leaves 20 and 22 also include a plurality of the combinationreinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means 12 spacedvertically therealong as shown best in FIGURE 5.

The combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot ,mounting means12 comprises a U-shaped central portion 48 having flange portions 50extending away from each other depending from the free ends 52 of theU-shaped central portion 48. The flanges 50 of the member 12 are securedto the planar portion of the panel 42 by convenient means such as spotwelding along their length.

Additionally, the member 12 is provided with offset portions 54 and 56extending from the connecting part 58 of the U-shaped portion 48 of themember 12. These offset portions 54 and 56 of the member 12 are securedto the flanges 46 of the panel by convenient means such as spot Weldingwhereby the member 12 provides extremely rigid reinforcing to strengthenthe panel members 42 and therefore prevent warping, bending or otherdeformation of the individual door leaves 20 and 22.

As best shown in FIGURE 7 the offset portion 56 of the member 12 isslotted and return folded to provide spaced cylindrical portions 60along the outer edge 62 thereof adapted to interfit with matingcylindrical portions along the edge of a similar member 12 on anadiacent door leaf to provide door hinges in conjunction with the hingepin 24 extending through the cylindrical portions 60. The member 12 thusserves to provide doorhinges between the separate leaves 20 and 22 of afolding door 10.

Further, as will be noted from an inspection of FIG- I URE 6, the legportions 64 and 66 of the U-shaped portion 48 of the member 12 areprovided at the end 16 of the member 12 with the pair of longitudinallyspaced openings 14 extending therethrough. The openings 14 providemounting means for the pivot rods 26 whereby, if desired, the width ofthe individual leaves 20 and 22 of the doors 10 between the hinge pin 24and the pivot rod 26 may be varied to prevent both leaves of a foldingdoor 10 from assuming a ninety degree angle with respect to the track 18on opening of the door whereby :he door is prevented from binding in anopen position.

The pivot rods 26 are secured in the openings 14 by neans of the pivotnuts 68 and bushings 70. The pivot 1uts 68 and bushings 70 are held inposition by means )f flanges 72 and struck out portions 74 thereof asshown Jest in FIGURE 7.

In assembly the pivot rods 26 are inserted through he bushings 70 andthreaded through the nuts 68 and ire adjusted so that the ends 76thereof having bushings 8 thereon extend Within the recesses 36. Thepivot 'ods 26 are then fixed in the adjusted positions by the :et screw80 extending through the flange '72 of the nut 58, the side 66 of theU-shaped portion 48 of the memaer 12 and into engagement with the pivotrod 26 through he slot 32 in the nut 68.

As shown best in FIGURE 7, a special headed bushing i4 may be providedat the moving side of a folding door .0 while the bushing 78 is providedat the fixed side of he folding door.

Thus it will be seen that in accordance with the inendon there isprovided novel door structure which ncludes a combination reinforcingmember, hinge and pivot mounting means. The over-all structure of thedoor of the invention is simpler than prior door structures and lessexpensive to manufacture. In addition, as has previously been indicated,doors constructed in accordance with the invention are particularlyefiicient in operation since they include few parts which may requiremaintenance.

Further the doors are completely reversible both structurally and intheir pivot mountings. Thus, any door leaf may be used as either thefixed or sliding leaf of sliding doors and either door leaf of a pair ofsliding doors may be of less width than the other to prevent locking ofthe doors in open position.

The modification of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE- 9 provides aspring clip nut for securing the pivot rod 26 to the combinationreinforcing member, hinge leaf and pivot mounting means 12 in place ofthe pivot nuts 68 and bushings 70 illustrated in FIGURE 5. The springclip nut 90 is cheaper to manufacture than the many parts necessary forsecuring the pivot rod 26 in an adjusted position including the pivotnuts 68, bushings 70 and set screws 80 indicated. Further the springclip nut may be assembled much more ,quickly than the usual pivot nuts68, bushings 70 and set screws 80.

As shown best in FIGURES 10 and 11 the spring clip not 90 comprises aU-shaped member which may be stamped and bent from a single sheet ofspring steel in the form illustrated. As shown the U-shaped memberincludes the connecting portion 92 and the leg portions 94 having thetab locks 96 formed therein. Each of the 'leg portions*% includes arecess 98 extending from the free end 100 of the leg portions 94 towardthe connecting portion 92 forming parts 102 and 104 on opposite sidesthereof. The recesses 98 have sides converging toward the connectingportion 92 and terminating in a circular cut-out portion 106. Further aslot 108 is provided extending from the connecting portion side of thecircular cut-out portion 106 toward the connecting portion 92 to permitbending of the parts 102 and Y104 of the legs 94 in opposite directionstransversely of the leg portions 94 to conform to the pitch of thethreads of a threaded pivot rod 26 pisitioned within the circular cutoutportion 106 as best shown in FIGURE 9.

In assembly of the pivot rod 26 with the combination reinforcing member,hinge and pivot mounting means 12 as shown in FIGURE 9 the pivot rod 26is inserted through the openings 110 in the leg portions 64 and 66 ofthe U-shaped portion 48 of the'member 12 and adjusted to provide adesired door position. The leg portions 94 of the spring clip nut 90 arethen inserted through a pair of parallel slots 112 provided in a recess114 in the connecting part 58 of the U-shaped portion 48 of the member12. As the leg portions 98 are inserted through the parallel slots 112the pivot rod 26 is cammed along the converging sides 99 of the recess98 and into the circular cut-out portion 106. During the cammingoperation the portions 102 and 104 of the spring clip nut are caused tobend slightly in opposite directions as shown in FIGURE 9 in accordancewith the slope of the threads on the opposite sides of the pivot rod 26.The spring clip nut 90 is locked in position by the locking tabs 96.

The pivot rod 26 is thus held securely in an axial position andprevented from pivoting during normal operation of the door due to thefriction between the threads of the pivot rod 26 and the sides of thecircular cut-out portion 106 of the spring clip nut 90. The pivot rod 26may however be adjusted axially by rotation of rod 26 due to theengagement of the periphery of the circular cut-out area 106 of thespring clip nut with the threads of the rod.

The drawings and foregoing specification constitute the description ofthe improved door structure in such full, clear, concise and exact termsas to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A folding door comprising a pair of door panels, threaded rod pivotmeans, combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mountingmeans securing the panels together comprising an elongated U-shapedmember including parallel leg portions having aligned openings thereinthrough which the threaded rod pivot means extends and a connectingportion having parallel spaced apart slots therein extendingtransversely of the threaded rod pivot means, a guide secured adjacentone end of said panels in which the threaded rod pivot means is receivedand a spring clip nut securing the threaded rod pivot means to thereinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means comprising aU-shaped member including substantially flat leg portions and aconnecting portion, each of said leg portions of the spring clip nuthaving a recess therein extending from the free edge thereof toward theconnecting portion, including a circular portion, converging sidesterminating in the circular portion, and a slot extending from thecircular portion toward the connecting portion, the leg portions of thespring clip nut extending through the slots in the reinforcing member,leaf hinge and pivot mounting means to engage the threaded rod pivotmeans within the circular portion of the recess.

2. A folding door for installation in a building opening comprising apair of door panels having adjacent edges, each including an elongatedflat connecting portion, longitudinally extending leg portions dependingsubstantially perpendicularly from the opposite sides of the connectingportion in the same direction and longitudinally extending flangesdepending from the leg portions toward each other in a plane parallel tothe plane of the connecting portion and in spaced relation thereto, anelongated, integral, Combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge andpivot mounting means secured to each of the door panels at the top andbottom thereof extending transversely of the panels and each includingan elongated connecting portion, longitudinally extending leg portionsdepending from the edge of the connecting portion, longitudinallyextending flanges depending from the leg ortions in opposite directionsin a plane parallel to the plane of the connecting portion and in spacedrelation relative thereto, offset flanges depending from the connectingportions at the opposite ends thereof and extending in oppositedirections in surface-to-surface engagement with and connected to theflanges of the panels and integral hinge means secured to the offsetflange at the adjacent edges of the door panels for pivotally securingthe panels together, a plurality of aligned openings in the leg portionsof the combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mountingmeans adjacent the other edges of the panels, guide means mounted in thebuilding opening adjacent the top and bottom of the building panels,threaded pivot rods extending through the digned openings in thecombination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means andinto the guide means, a bushing inserted in the aligned openings in eachof the combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mountingmeans closest the end of the panel and a threaded nut secured in theother of the aligned openings in each of the combination reinforcingmember, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means and a set screw extendingthrough each nut and engaged with the associated pivot rod for securingthe pivot rod in an adjusted position.

3. A folding door for installation in a building opening comprising apair of door panels having adjacent edges, each including an elongatedflat connecting portion, longitudinally extending leg portions dependingsubstantially perpendicularly from the opposite sides of the connectingportion in the same direction and longitudinally extending flangesdepending from the leg portions toward each other in a plane parallel tothe plane of the connecting portion and in spaced relation thereto, an

longated, integral, combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivotmounting means secured to each of the door panels at the top and bottomthereof extending transversely of the panels and each including anelongated connecting portion, longitudinally extending leg portionsdepending from the edge of the connecting portion, longitudinallyextending flanges depending from the leg portions in opposite directionsin a plane parallel to the plane of the connecting portion and in spacedrelation relative thereto, offset flanges depending from the connectingportions at the opposite ends thereof and extending in oppositedirections in surface-to-surface engagement with and connected to theflanges of the panels and integral hinge means secured to the offsetflange at the adjacent edges of the door panels for pivotally securingthe panels together, a plurality of aligned openings in the leg portionsof the combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mountingmeans adjacent the other edges of the panels, guide means mounted in thebuilding opening adjacent the top and bottom of the building panels,threaded pivot rods extending through the aligned openings in thecombination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means andinto the guide means, and means for securing the pivot rods to thecombination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting meansincluding a pair of spaced apart parallel slots in the connectingportion of each of the combina tion reinforcing member, leaf hinge andpivot mounting means in vertical alignment with the aligned openingsthrough the legs of the reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivotmounting means and a spring clip nut comprising a U-shaped member havinga connecting portion and leg portions extending through each pair ofslots and engaging the respective pivot rods with recesses thereinextending from the free end of the leg portions toward the connectingportion of the spring clip nut, the sides of which recesses convergetoward the connecting portion of the clip, are provided with a circularportion gripping the pivot rods and terminate in a further portionextending toward the connecting portion, the two parts of each of theleg portions of the spring clip extending transversely in oppositedirections.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the leg portions of thespring clip nut further include portions extending transversely thereofwhich diverge from the leg portions toward the connecting portion andterminate adjacent the connecting portion for securing the spring clipnut within the parallel slots.

5. A folding door having a fixed and a sliding side comprising a pair ofdoor panels, a separate, integral combination reinforcing member, leafhinge and pivot mounting means for securing the panels together at thetop and bottom of the door each having a U-shaped cross section, aseparate track secured adjacent the top and bottom of the door, a fixedpivot rod extending through the U-shaped cross section of thereinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means at the top andbottom of the fixed side of the folding door, a sliding pivot rodextending through the U-shaped cross section of the reinforcing member,leaf hinge and pivot mounting means at the top and bottom of the slidingside of the folding door and means carried by and operable between eachpivot rod and the respective combination reinforcing member, leaf hingeand pivot mounting means for securing the pivot rod in fixed axialpositions with respect to the combination reinforcing member, leaf hingeand pivot mounting means associated therewith, comprising alignedopenings in the combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivotmounting means through which the rod extends, a bushing having anoutwardly extending flange at one end thereof and a portion projectingfrom the sides thereof in spaced relation to the flange clamping thebush ing in one of the openings and a set screw threaded into thebushing for engagement with the pivot rod extending therethrough.

tom of the door each having a U-shaped cross section, a

separate track secured adjacent the top andbottom of the door, a fixedpivot rod-extending through the U-shaped cross section of thereinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting means at the top andbottom of the fixed side of the folding door, a sliding pivot rodextending through the U-shaped cross section of the reinforcing member,leaf hinge and pivot mounting means atthe top and bottom of the slidingside of the folding door and means carried by and operable between eachpivot rod and the respective combination'reinforcing member, leaf hingeand pivot mounting means for securing the pivot rod in fixed axialpositions with respect to the combination reinforcing member, leaf hingeand pivot mounting means associated therewith comprising alignedopenings in the combination reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivotmounting means through which the rod extends, spaced apart parallelslots in the reinforcing member, leaf hinge and pivot mounting meansextending transversely of the rod extending through the aligned'openingsand a U-shaped spring clip nut including substantially flat leg portionsand a connecting portion, each'of said leg portions of the U-shapedmember having a recess therein extending from the free edge thereoftoward the connecting portion including a circularportiongconvergingsides terminating in the circular portion and a slotextending from the circular portion toward the connecting portion, theleg portions of the spring clip nut extending through the slots in thereinforcing member, leafhinge and pivot mounting means to engage the rod'within the circular portion of the recess therein.

7. A folding door comprising a pair of door panels, a pivot rod,reinforcing leaf hinge and pivot mounting means securing the panelstogether comprising an elongated U-shaped member including parallel legportions having aligned openings therein through which the pivot rodextends and a connecting portion having parallel spaced apart slotstherein extendingtransversely of the pivot rod, a guide secured adjacentone end ofsaid panels receiving the pivot rod and a spring clip nutsecuring said pivot rod to said reinforcing leaf hingean'dpivot-mounting means comprising a U-shaped member includingsubstantially fiat leg portions and a connecting portion, each of saidleg portions of the spring clip nut having a recess therein extendingfrom the free edge thereof toward the connecting portion, the legportions of the spring clip nut extending through the slots in thereinforcing leaf hinge and pivot mounting means to engage the-pivot rodwithin the recess in the leg portions.

'8. A folding door comprising a pair of door panels, a threaded pivotrod, reinforcing leaf hinge and pivot mounting means securing the panelstogether comprising an elongated U-shaped structure including parallelleg portions having aligned openings therein through which the pivot rodextends and a connecting portion, a guide secured adjacent one end ofsaid panels receiving said pivot rod, a bushing member-inserted in oneof the aligned openings in each of the reinforcing leaf hinge and pivotmounting means and a threaded nut member threadedly receiving thethreaded pivot rod secured in the other of the aligned openings in eachof the'reinforcing leaf hinge and pivot mounting means and a set screwextending through one of the members and engaged with the associatedpivot rod for securing the rod in an adjusted position.

References Cited-in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,525,309 Norberg -Oct. 10, 1950 2,827,115 Stroup Mar. '18, 19582,842,795 Majeske July 15, 1958 2,871,932 Stroup Feb. 3, 1959 2,915,118Capitani Dec. 1, 1959 2,923,385 Tinnerman Feb. 2, 1960 3,019,836 LeighFeb. 6, 1962 3,023,804 Howell Mar. '6, 1962 3,062,277 Merrill Nov.6,1962

1. A FOLDING DOOR COMPRISING A PAIR OF DOOR PANELS, THREADED ROD PIVOTMEANS, COMBINATION REINFORCING MEMBER, LEAF HINGE AND PIVOT MOUNTINGMEANS SECURING THE PANELS TOGETHER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED U-SHAPEDMEMBER INCLUDING PARALLEL LEG PORTIONS HAVING ALIGNED OPENINGS THEREINTHROUGH WHICH THE THREADED ROD PIVOT MEANS EXTENDS AND A CONNECTINGPORTION HAVING PARALLEL SPACED APART SLOTS THEREIN EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY OF THE THREADED ROD PIVOT MEANS, A GUIDE SECURED ADJACENTONE END OF SAID PANELS IN WHICH THE THREADED ROD PIVOT MEANS IS RECEIVEDAND A SPRING CLIP NUT SECURING THE THREADED ROD PIVOT MEANS TO THEREINFORCING MEMBER, LEAF HINGE AND PIVOT MOUNTING MEANS COMPRISING AU-SHAPED MEMBER INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT LEG PORTIONS AND ACONNECTING PORTION, EACH OF SAID LEG PORTIONS OF THE SPRING CLIP NUTHAVING A RECESS THEREIN EXTENDING FROM THE FREE EDGE THEREOF TOWARD THECONNECTING PORTION, INCLUDING A CIRCULAR PORTION, CONVERGING SIDESTERMINATING IN THE CIRCULAR PORTION, AND A SLOT EXTENDING FROM THECIRCULAR PORTION TOWARD THE CONNECTING PORTION, THE LEG PORTIONS OF THESPRING CLIP NUT EXTENDING THROUGH THE SLOTS IN THE REINFORCING MEMBER,LEAF HINGE AND PIVOT MOUNTING MEANS TO ENGAGE THE THREADED ROD PIVOTMEANS WITHIN THE CIRCULAR PORTION OF THE RECESS.